Trousers hanger with trigger and stay means



May 21, 1957 c. c. COLE TROUSERS HANGER WITH TRIGGER AND STAY MEANS Filed 1m. 10', 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

come/1215 0. Cole May 21, 1957 c. c. COLE 2,792,979

TROUSERS HANGER WITH TRIGGER AND STAY MEANS Filed Dec. 10, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 80 7a Fig-5 30 K 80 76 F /'g 5 58 62 /2 74 l6 Fig.8

Camel/21s 6; Cole INVENTOR.

aired States Patent TROUSERS HANGER WITH TRIGGER AND STAY MEANS Cornelius C. Cole, El Paso, Tex. Application December 10, 1954, Serial No. 474,371 6 Claims. (Cl. 223-96) The present invention relates to garment hangers, generally speaking, and has more particular reference to that type which has been more specifically classified as a trousers and skirt hanger, that is, a hanger which is characterized by a pair of opposed duplicate spring closed hingedly connected lever units with the upper ends of the levers functioning as handles, and the lower ends provided with cuff or waist band engaging jaws, as the case may be.

Trousers hangers characterized as above generally described, though in widespread and extensive use, are not as handy and convenient as they should be because it is quite unhandy to grasp the handles, overcome the tension of the jaw closing spring, hold the jaws open with one hand and to grasp and maneuver theeuff portions of the trousers into clamping position between the stated jaws. This has posed the problem of providing a mechanism or auxiliary mechanical means which is capable of latching itself into a position to spread and hold the jaws apart to facilitate the step of positioning the cuff portions of the trousers between the jaws before the latter are released and sprung back to their intended clamping positions.

Confronted with this problem, others working in the art have seen fit to attempt to solve it in one way or another. The object of the instant invention is to structurally, functionally and otherwise improve upon similarly constructed and performing prior art adaptations and, in doing so, to thus more aptly and satisfactorily solve the over-all aspects of the problem and, having done this, to thus satisfy the requirements of manufacturers and to likewise meet the needs of users.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the inven= tion, generically construed, I have found it expedient and practicable to achieve the desired results through the medium of a simple rigid stay link which is pivotally connected at one end to one of the stated units and has its opposite end free and extending through a clearance slot provided therefor in the opposed unit. A simple gravity lowerable trigger latch is pivotally mounted on the free end portion of the link and has a keeper notch or equivalent trip releasably engageable with a coacting keeper shoulder on the last named unit.

More particularly, the idea is to arrange the trigger latch so that it hangs down in the space between the units when the jaws are spread apart to open positions. Here, it provides a quick responsive releasing device of a socalled hair trigger type which, when it is engaged by the upward lifting movement of the cuff portions of the trousers, release the stay action and allows the jaws to quickly and clampingly grip the trousers cuffs in a handy and reliable manner.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the complemental sheets of illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view observing the showing a wooden type trousers or skirt hanger embodying the improvements and features of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is what may be called an edge elevation of the structure seen in Figure 1, the view being rotated approximately and the clamping jaws being shown in closed positions and the improved stay means and trigger latch being shown folded, released and out-of-the-way;

Figure 3 is an edge elevation based on Figure 2, but

showing the manner in which the stay link and trigger latch come into play in spreading. and holding the clamp ing jaws in a position which may be said to be open and ready to allow the trousers to be hoisted into position with.

the cuffs between the clamping jaws in the now' well known manner;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional and elevational view which is herein utilized to stress the quick responsive or aforementioned hair trigger construction and cooperation of parts;

Figure 5 is an elevational view showing how the clamping jaws are of a length less than the trousers'cufiis so that finger room is had to more readily insert the cuffs;

Figure 6 is a view on a small scale showing how a pair. of relatively small trousers hangers may be associated with a wire coat or garment hanger and used as skirt hangers;

Figure 7 is a modification of the invention;

Figure 8 is a sectional and elevational view based thereon, which may be said to be taken approximately on the central vertical line 88 of Figure 7, looking in the direc tion of the arrows;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detail view; and

Figure 10 is also a fragmentary detail sectional and elevational view showing the construction and functioning of the stay link and trigger latch for clearness of illustration of details.

With reference first to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the socalled wooden or equivalent trousers hanger is characterized by a pair of duplicate opposed lever units, denoted generally by the numerals 12 and 14, respectively. The levers are vertically disposed when the device is in use, and the upper portions provide finger grips or handles 16 and 18. The intermediate portions of the levers are provided with cooperating overlapping ears 20-20 which are pivotally or hingedly connected together. There is also a coil spring 22 associated with this hinge joint so that it may be treated as a spring loaded hinge. The tendency of the spring is to press the handles apart into divergent relation, as shown in Figure 2, and to thus clampingly force the clamping jaws 24-24 toward each other in a now generally well known manner. Before discussing the specific features of the invention, it may be stated that any appropriate hang-up device may be employed for supporting the trousers hanger on a pole, hook or the like. The device here shown is denoted by the numeral 26 and is of wire and has a suspension hook 28 at the upper end and a rectangular frame 30 at the lower end which is suitably connected to and might be said to form a part of the spring loaded hinge between the lever units. This means 26 is not necessarily stressed in the instant application.

The principal novelty has to do with the automatically functioning means or mechanism herein employed to spread the clamping jaws 24-24 apart, as shown in Figure 3, during the trousers insertion step.

Considering now the unique means or mechanism which serves to automatically come into play and to prop the clamping jaws apart in releasable ready-to-clamp positions, this is characterized, broadly construed, by a simple stay and a trousers actuated readily trippable trigger latch. More specifically, there is a rigid substantially straight stay link 32, one end of which extends Patented May 21,1957

through a slot provided therefor in the jaw portion 34 where it is pivotally anchored at 36 in a U-shaped bracket 38 in alignment with the stated slot. This link bridges the space between the jaw portions 34 and 40 and it has a laterally offset free end portion 42 which extends through and beyond a clearance slot 44, as perhaps best shown in Figure 4. The extending end portion 42 may be used as a lifting handle whenever necessary or desired. The trousers actuated trippable trigger latch is denoted by the numeral 46, and this is preferably linearly straight, rigid and of the approximate length shown perhaps best in Figure 3. It is also channel-shaped in cross-section to provide flanges 48 and which construction allows the link and latch to fold into compact relationship when the latch is released in the manner shown in Figure 2. One end portion of the latch provides cars 50, and these straddle the link and are pivoted thereto as at 52. It will be noticed, too, that notches are provided at 54 which function as keepers, and these keepers engage with a stationary keeper shoulder 56 provided by the metal plate or cleat 58 which is fastened to the lever at the lower end portion of the slot 44 in the manner illustrated. The lower end of the slot has a slight inclination providing a check shoulder at 60.

In connection with Figure 4, it will be seen that the force indicated at A produced by the spring means 22 is resisted by the opposing force B provided by the cleat or shoulder palte 58 and the force B acts in a line above the axis XX. Because of this eccentricity, the trigger latch is forced in a direction shown by the arrow C, but is checked in its swing or rotation by its coming into contact with the ledge or inclined surface 60. This puts all the forces in equilibrium, and the mechanism serves to hold the jaws spaced apart and open. It is also evident that by moving the trigger latch 46 in an upward direction, a principle of leverage is provided and acts against the shoulder plate 58 and the shoulder 56, raising the pivot point 52 and likewise the axis XX. When this axis XX reaches a point above the top of the plate 58, that is, the shoulder 56, the force B tends to rotate the trigger arm further in a counterclockwise direction, thereby allowing the mechanism to close rapidly and with requisite sensitivity.

The aforementioned construction provides the precision-like and balanced jaw propping, staying and hair trigger release means which will be clear by comparing the folded out-of-the-way relationship of parts in' Figure 2 with the latch retained set relationship of parts as seen in Figures 3 and 4.

The purpose of the illustration in Figure is to show the size relationship between the clamping jaws 24-24 and the cuffs 62 on the legs 64 of the trousers 66. Notice that the end portions of the cuffs extend beyond the respective end portions of the jaws 24, thus providing finger clearance spaces diagrammatically noted by the lines and arrows 6868.

In Figure 6, there is no change in the construction of the trousers hanger described. This figure merely illustrates the use of two relatively small hangers which may be here referred to as skirt hangers. They are engageable with the waist band 70 of a skirt 72 and are suitably connected to and supported from the horizontal bar '74 of the wire coat hanger 76. This has a hook 78 supported on the pole or equivalent support member 80.

In' the construction shown in the modification seen in Figures 7, 8 and 10, the principle of construction is not changed. That is to say, the hanger here will be made out of stamped sheet material, for example, commercial plastics or sheet metal. Here, the complemental lever units are denoted by the numerals 8282 having ears 84 hingedly connected together at 86 and including coil spring jaw closing means 88. The finger grips or handle portions'are denoted at 90-90 and the jaws or jaw portionsat 92 -92, these having strips of felt .or the like 94 to grip the trousers. The ears 84 are struck out from the metal, as brought out in detail in Figure 9. The sus pension wire, which also forms the shaft 86, is denoted by the numeral 96 and has a hanger hook 98 at the upper end. In this arrangement, the stay link SZ-A has a pivot pin 100 at one end hingedly connected and struck out attaching members 102 provided therefor in the jaw portion 92, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. There is a slot 104 to accommodate the free end portion 106, which end portion is provided with a pivoted gravity lowerable trigger latch 108 constructed as already described. The pivot thereon is denoted at 119, and the notched nose portion 112 provides the keeper which is engageable with the keeper seat or shoulder 114 provided at the lower end of the slot 104, as best seen in Figure 10. Also, there is an additional ear struck out, as at 116, and this is bent laterally inward and provides a check which limits the downward dropping or swinging of the trigger latch 108 to bring about the results already described. In other words, in this modification, the trousers hanger is made of sheet metal and the metal is constructed to accommodate the stay link and trigger latch already described. Therefore, it is unnecessary to repeat the description of the operation.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A trousers hanger comprising a pair of complemental units having opposed handle portions pivotally connected with each other by way of a spring loaded hinge and opposed cuff gripping and clamping jaws, the latter being spread apart to open positions when said handle portions are grasped and forcibly pressed toward each other, mechanical means carried by said units for spreading and propping said jaws apart and temporarily retaining the same in open positions, a trigger latch occupying a downwardly inclined oblique angled position almost wholly between the spread apart jaws, said latch having a keeper notch, one of said units being provided with a keeper shoulder with which said notch is releasably engageable, and a stay element attached to the other unit, said latch being pivotally mounted on said stay element.

2. A trousers hanger comprising a pair of complemental units having opposed handle portions pivotally connected with each other by way of a spring loaded hinge and opposed cuff gripping and clamping jaws, the latter being spread apart to open positions when said handle portions are grasped and forcibly pressed toward each other, mechanical means carried by said units for spreading and propping said jaws apart and temporarily retaining the same in open positions, a trigger latch occupying a downwardly inclined oblique angled position between the spread apart jaws, said latch having a keeper notch, one of said units being provided with a keeper shoulder with which said notch is releasably engageable, and a stay element attached to the other unit, said latch being pivotally mounted thereon, said stay element comprising a rigid linearly straight link having one end pivotally attached to the cooperating unit.

3. A trousers hanger comprising a pair of complemental units having opposed handle portions pivotally connected with each other by way of a spring loaded hinge and opposed cuff gripping and clamping jaws, the latter being spread apart to open positions when said handle portions are grapsed and forcibly pressed toward each other, portions of said units adjacent said jaws having alignable slots, a rigid stay link having one end passing through one slot and pivotally connected to the cooperating unit, the other end being free and passing through and beyond the other slot in the other unit, said latter unit having a keeper shoulder, and a trigger latch pivotally connected at its upper end to an intermediate portion of said stay link and having a keeper releasably engagcable with said keeper shoulder.

4. A trousers hanger comprising a pair of complemental units having opposed handle portions pivotally connected with each other by way of a spring loaded hinge and opposed culf gripping and clamping jaws, the latter being spread apart to open positions when said handle portions are grasped and forcibly pressed toward each other, portion-s of said units adjacent said jaws having alignable slots, a rigid stay link having one end passing through one slot and pivotally connected to the cooperating unit, the other end being free and passing through and beyond the other slot in the other unit, said latter unit having a keeper shoulder, and a trigger latch pivotally connected at its upper end to an intermediate portion of said stay link and having a keeper releasably engageable with said keeper shoulder, the last named unit having a check shoulder with which the adjacent pivoted end portion of said trigger latch is engageable when the trigger latch drops down, under the influence of gravity, to its set ready-to-release position.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 wherein said trigger latch is channel-shaped in cross-section.

6. A trousers hanger comprising a pair of complemental units having opposed handle portions pivotally connected with each other by way of a spring loaded hinge and opposed cuff gripping and clamping jaws, the latter being spread apart to open positions when said handle portions are grasped and forcibly pressed toward each other, mechanical means carried by said units for spreading and propping said jaws apart and temporarily retaining the same in open positions, said means embodying a trigger latch which when it is set occupies a trippable position between the open jaws, whereby it is engaged and tripped when the cuff portions of the trousers are brought into releasing engagement therewith by the act of manually bringing said cufi portions into clamping positions between said jaws, said means also embodying a stay link pivotally connected at one end to one of said handle portions, the other end being cooperable with but free of positive mechanical connection with the other handle portion, said trigger latch being rigid, linearly straight and having free pivotal connection with said link inwardly of the free end of the latter and depending from the lower edge portion, said other handle portion having a keeper shoulder and said trigger latch having a keeper notch releasably engageable with said keeper shoulder, said trigger latch being relatively long and of ample weight so that it is gravity movable to its depending set position, and being channel-shaped in cross-section and the cooperating median portion of said link folding and nesting itself in the channel of the trigger latch under certain predetcrmined operating conditions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 862,706 Brenizer Aug. 6, 1907 912,388 L-arson Feb. 16, 1909 1,022,295 Bowman Apr. 2, 1912 2,423,369 Brunner July 1, 1947 

